Type-distributing machine.



E. AfAncocK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING- MAGHINE.

A'PPLIOATION FILED D30, 2a, 1908.

Patentvd Aug.9,191-O.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. A. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2a, 1908.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Patented Aug. 9,1910v E. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 28, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' rm: NORRIS PETERS co \usnmsmn. D. z:v

E. .A. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 28, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

I6 SHEETS-*SJIEET 4.

I l r k E. A. ADGOGK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED D30. 28, 190B.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 BKEETS-SHEET 5.

THE NORRIS PETERS co WASHINGTON. r2. c

E. A. ADOOGKQ TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APELIOATION FILED 1330.28, 1908.

966,979 Patented Aug. 9,1910.

16 BKEETS-SIIBET 7.

THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

B; A. ADGOOK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLIUATIOH FILED DEG. 2a, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET B.

E. A; ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 28, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

RS $0., WASHINGTON, n. c

B. A. ADGOGK TYPE DISTRIBUTING MA OHINE. APPLIUATION FILED 1330.28, 1908. 966,979, Patented Aug. 9,1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

E. A. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 28, 19081 16 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

s cc vAsHmcroN, o. c.

Patented Aug. 9,1910.

E. A. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2a, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHBET8-SHEET 12.

5. (LLWQ (Ly-Z32.

" g/Ja Ivar B. ADGOGK. TY PE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEG. 2B, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9,1910.

16 SHEETSBHEET 13.

E. A. ADGOGK.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1 210.28, 1908. 966,979. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 14.

1-H; nos-ms PETERS 00,, WASHINGTON, 0 c

E. A. ADGOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MAGHINE. Arrmonmn FILED DBO. 28,1908

Patentd Aug. 9', '1910.

16 SHEEN-811313115.

THE NORRIS PETERS ca., WASHINGTON, u. c.

13. A. ADUOGK. TYPE DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2 8, 1903.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD AUGUSTUS ADCOCK, 0F READING, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE PUIJSOMETER ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITEDQOE READING, ENGLAND.

TYPE-DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD AUGUSTUS ADcooK, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks, England, have invented Improvements in or Relating to Type-Distributing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to type distributing machines of the kindinwhich the types are dislodged with a movement such as is for example described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 7 85,649, and the distribution of the type is dependent not on special nicks or the like made in the type but upon the varying thickness of the type as described in the specification of other Letters Patent No. 701,881.

The objects of the invention are to provide improved means for preventing more than one type of a line of types being dislodged at a time in the act of distribution; to provide means for assisting the removal of the dislodged types; to provide mechanism for effecting the principal movements Which, in contradistinction to being manually operated from a key board is operated by a motor after initiation from the key board; and to otherwise constitute and embody the various elements used in a type distributing machine in such manner that a machine is produced that is simpler in character and more efficient and quicker in action than the earlier machines hitherto used.

A machine embodying the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings whereof Figure 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 a back elevation with portions removed. Figs. 3, 4. and 5 are views of portions of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows A, B and C respectively. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a plan of a portion of Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same looking in the direction of the arrow D. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 rendering certain details clearer and Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are also similar views, to a larger scale, indicating diflerent positions of parts. Fig. 12 is a partial view similar to Fig. 3, showing parts in a diii'erent position. Figs. 13 to 19 inclusive are views corresponding to a portion 01 Fig. 1 with parts in different positions as hereinafter more particularly referred to. Fig. 20 1s Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 28, 1908.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910. Serial No. 469,674.

a view to a larger scale of a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 21 is a plan and Fig. 22 a front elevation of the same. Fig. 23 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow A of a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 24 is a plan and Fig. 25 an underside view of the same. Figs. 26 and 27 are diagrammatic elevations with parts in different positions of the details shown in Figs. 23 to 25 and Figs. 28 and 29 are cross sections corresponding to Figs. 26 and 27 respectively.

The means for preventing more than one type of a line oftypes being displaced at a time in the act of distribution, comprises a carrier wherein are arranged guideways formed as segments of an annulus superposed one above another and some being struck with radii larger than others so that retainers of corresponding shape can be arranged therein with operative edges out of superposed alinement when the ends of the retainers on which the said edges are formed are in a common plane. In this way by providingsprings to normally force the retainers into engagement with the line of types, the type which immediately follows the one that is, for the time being, being displaced will be held by one or other or two or more of the retainers, whether or not the said type which is being displaced is also so engaged by another or others of the retainers. If a type to be displaced is engaged by one or more of the said retainers, the type as it advances will automatically move the retainer or each retainer with a circular motion along its guideway against the influence 0f thecorresponding spring, the latter returning the retainer or each retainer, to its normal positionafter the type is ejected. When the thicknesses of type vary considerably, the requisite retention can be eifectually secured within the whole range of type thickness without increasing the number of retainers by causing the carrier to move with respect to the line of types to varying extents, in any convenient manner, by means controlled from a key board, in accordance with the character of type to be displaced.

The invention is assumed to be applied to a type distributing machine such as is described in the specification hereinbefore referred to and shown in the accompanying drawings, where a pusher 1 Fig. 5) is moved parallel to the direction of movement of the lines of types 2 collectively along the which is chamfered, or at an angle, conforemost type, is pushed, in contact with amovable abutment 6 (hereinafter called a slider), into register with an .outlet 7 through which it subsequently drops. The" carrier may, as shown, be formed as a block 8 (Figs. 1' and S) attached to a rod 9 capable of sliding within a guideway 10 in a more or less hollow rectangular block 11 formed as part of a metal bracket 12 attached to what will be hereinafter referred to as the front plate 13 of the machine and which serves to carry the type galley 3and trough4. The carrier block 8 has a flat face 14 which approaches toward and-recedes from the front plate 13 of the machine and a face necting theaforesaid face 14' and the face 16 which is adjacent to the line of type (Figs. 9, wand 11).

The retainers 17 and retainer guides 18 are four in number, the uppermost and'low ermost constituting one identical pair which is however arranged rather more remote from the forward endof the carrier block 8 than the intermediate pair which are also identical all as clearly seen in Figs. 9 to 11. The forward edges of both pairs of retainers 17 project beyond the line of juncture of the chamfered or inclined face 15 with the face 16. Each retainer 17 is formed as a ring segment, the center for the radius of which and the co-acting annular guide 18 is located at a point such as 17 (Fig. 9) positioned so that atype or space in the act of being ejected clears the retainer by moving the latter to a much-lesser extent than has hitherto been possible. The rod 9 may be formed or provided with a T piece 9 or equivalent,

towhich four springs 19 are secured, individually adapted to bear against the retainera-17 Conveniently, these springs 19 may have a ring like termination 20 and be coiled intermediate of their length as at 21. The rear extremity of the rod 9 is screw threaded and provided with nuts 9 by which the position of the block 8 can be adjusted with re spect to the front plate 13. In the particu-' lar example under consideration, it is intended that the adjustment shall be such that with two thin spaces in contact at the foremost end of the line of types, the edges oft-he foremost pair of retainers 17 shall extend half way across the thickness of the space which is more remote from the front plate 13, as shown in-Fig. 9. The carrier block 8 is held in the adjusted position by a spring 22 which may be coiled around-the rod 9 and react against the stationary block 11 and the T piece 9*. With the ejection of thin spaces and types of a thickness not exceeding the distance between the foremost face 14 of the sliding block and the front plate 13 of the machine, no movement of the said sliding block 8 will .occur. If a type of a thickness exceeding this distance but not exceeding the distance of the line of junction of the chamfered or inclined face 15 with the face 16 from the front plate 13 is ejected, the said type in the act of being displaced will, by engaging the chamfered or inclined face 15 automatically retract the sliding block 8 against the action of its spring 22, as for instance ,from the full line to the dotted line position 1shown in Fig. 9, the central pair of retainers ;17 being. alone engaged by the type; or to jthe dotted position shown in Fig. 10, the itype being of a thickness to engage both 1 pairs of retainers 17 while being ejected. If ta type of a thickness greater than the disltance last mentioned is to be ejected, the {sliding block 8 is positively retracted by suitgable means operated from the keyboard, as j for example by the elevation of a bar 23 gmovable in slides 24 behind the front plate 13 and having a cam groove 25 in which {works a pin 26 on a small crank arm 27 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 8) the spindle 28 whereof {.is'solid and passes through a hollow spindle 29 pertaining to the slider control mechanism to be hereinafter described. To the solid spindle 28, near its other end, is fixed another crank arm 30, which, by a link 31, transmits motion to a bell crank lever 32 pivoted upon the galley supporting bracket 12, the said lever making loose contact with a rod 33 adjustably carried by a bracket 34 from the rod 9 to which the carrier block 8 of the retainers is attached. By varying the extent of elevation of the said sliding bar 23, the retainer carrying block 8 is retracted to a greater or lesser extent up to the maximum required to permit the thickest type to be displaced. Fig. 11 illustrates the sliding block 8 in one of its positively retracted positions where-the type to be ejected will automatically retract it farther into the dotted line position.

In orderthat the types successively dislodged from the line of types shall be prevented from sticking to the front plate 1.3 or block 8 after retraction of the pusher 1, a device, hereinafter termed a hustler, is employed, comprising an endless band 35 continuously traveling in an opening in the front of and flush with the face of the front plate 13 and in proximity to the foremost face 14 of the retainer carrying block 8, the said band 35 being driven by a pulley 36 around which and guide rollers 37 it passes from the back to the front of the front plate 13 (Figs. 1, 3 and 3). This band 35, by frictional contact with a type, rapidly draws it down through the outlet opening 7 leading to the separating mechanism.

passing through one of the guides.

The hustler pulley 36 (Figs. 1 and 4) is loosely mounted upon a spindle 38 adjustable in slotted bearings 39 in a supporting bracket or block 40 and has secured thereto a driving pulley 41 which is suitably geared to or driven from a driving shaft 42. If desired a flapper 43 (Figs. 3, 3 and 12) adapted to move about a horizontal axis 44, may be located immediately below and central with the hustler so that it rests upon the type as it passes to its distributing channel and restrains it to its proper path.

In the complete improved machine according to the inventlon, and embodying type ejecting, retaining and hustling means such as hereinbefore described, the so called front plate 13 is arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1, and is removably bolted to two-part side frames 45 themselves removably connected together and to a bed plate 46 which surmounts a substantial pedestal 47. The arrangement is such that the type distributing channels 48 can be conveniently disposed upon the inclined upper or front surface of the front plate 13 while the type separating devices 49, all of which in principle are the same as those described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 701,881, can be similarly disposed upon a continuation plate 50 flush lap jointed to the front plate 13 and supported at its lower end by the type through base 51 carried by the bed plate 46. Since the type galley 3, shown in Fig. 5, is immediately behind its supporting bracket 12 and both are in consequence perpendicular to the front plate 13 while the latter is at an angle to the horizontal, the said galley 3 is likewise inclined to the horizontal, as in other constructions of type dis tributing machine, so that the type line follower 5 can perform its function as heretofore, by reason of the action of gravity upon its mass, and can therefore be bodily removed at will without trouble.

The type pusherl remains. substantially the same as that describedin the said former specification No. 7 85,649 but is actuated through its bell crank lever 52 (Fig. 4) by connections as hereinafter explained.

The slider 6 (Fig. 3) is mounted to move within guides 52 formed in a slider bracket 53 attached to the top of the front plate 13 I and is acted upon by a spiral spring 54 encircling a portion of reduced dimension It is formed on its upper surfacewith a notch 55 into which a spring pressed catch 56, moving perpendicularly to the line of movement of the slider 6, automatically enters when the slider is retracted in the act of dislodging a type from the line of types.

This catch 56 is carried by a bracket 57 secured to the slider bracket 53 and has a lateral projection 58 by which it can be lifted out of engagement with the notch 55 in the slider at the proper times, this being effected by engagement of a crank arm 59 fixed upon the hollow spindle 29 previously alluded to, with an adjusting screw 60 passed through the lateral projection 58 of the catch. The rocking of the hollow spindle 29 is indirectly effected by the oscillation of a crank plate 61 at the end corresponding to the end of the inclosed solid spindle 28 which carries the crank27 governed by the cam groove 25 in the sliding member 23 hereinbefore re ferred to, and whichis attached to a similar member 62 through a connecting rod or link 63. This crank plate 61, which is loose upon the hollow spindle 29, has a pawl 64 normally engaging'a tooth upon a crank arm 65 keyed to the hollow spindle 29 and provided'with a lateral pin 66 engaging a stationary but adjustable cam plate 67 by which the pawl 64 is disengaged from the crank tooth at the required instant. The hollow spindle 29 passes through a bushed hole in the slider bracket 53 and both spindles 28 and 29 are supported at their outer ends by a small bracket 68, (see Figs. 1 and 5) attached to the said slider bracket.

The machine is provided, as in other constructions, of type distributing machines, with a manually operated closed door through which quads and the like can be ejected automatically. In the machine now being described, an exit opening for 2 em and 3 cm quads and the like is arranged at the end of and directly opposite to the line of type being dealt with and is closed by a sliding door 69 (Fig. 4) that is normally held closed by a spring 70 and against which the line of type bears when acted upon by the line follower 5. The door is provided with a lifting hook or handle 71 enable quads to be automatically ejected and l allowed to fall into a special quad box at the back of the machine, the exit opening however bein of such a size as notto allow of the exit of type therethrough.

Referring now to the keyboard, this, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is supported by the uppermost portions of the side brackets 45 and is partially overhung by the front plate 13 of the machine. It comprises a rectangular casting 7 2 within which are mounted, in r the desired order, the key levers 73, which are spaced apart so as to be capable of independent movement upon a common shaft 74 and are normally caused to bear against a stop 75 by the action of springs 7 6 secured on another common shaft 77serving as the pivotal support for a series of so-called shutterlevers 78 and a series of so-called hook levers 79 which collectively are equal in number tothe number of key levers 73 (1530 and are suitably spaced apart. By providingthe'lastnamed shaft 77 with a ratchet disk 80 (Fig. 1) and arranging a stationary .pawl 81 to engage therewith, the pressure of thesprings 76 upon the key levers 7 3 can be adjusted by rotating the said shaft 77 in one or other direction.

The casting 7 2 with shafts, levers and spacingmeans is or mayadvantageously be constructed to constitute a keyboard frame of the kind described in the specificationof another application for Letters Patent, filed by me the-21st December 1908, Serial No. 468654. Each shutter lever 78 is capable of direct operation, under the control of a key lever .73, and also of indirect operation by a hook lever 79, under the control of a corresponding keylever, the indirect operation being effectedby meansofa hook 79 which is-carried by thehook lever 79 and located below the lever 78 and lifts the latter when the corresponding hook lever is raised. In theexample under consideration, the hook levers 79 equal the shutter levers 78 in number sothat each shutter lever 78 is capable of being controlled by two keys. The ends of the several key levers 73 terminate within the key board frame 72 in a common plane and adjacent :to a corresponding number of weighted tappets'82 (Figs. and 16) each capable of turning loosely upon a pivot 83 securedto eitherashutter lever 7 8, or hook lever 79, With-respect to each of which'tappets 82,;the adjacent end of acorresponding key lever 7 3 acts as a pawl to normally -maintain the-tappet 82 out of the path of movement of a swing plate 84 which is continuously oscillated by engagement of a roller fittedcrank arm 85 (Fig. 7), secured to one of the pivots of the swing plate, with a cam'86upon a continuously rotating spindlei87 journaled in-the side brackets of the key board frame and driven by power.

Arran ed above the shutter and hook levers ,78, 9, so that they are capable of independent movement about pivots, are two cradles 88,89 (Fig. 14), one of which viz. 88, .is normally engaged by all thelevers 78, 79 so that it moves with movement of any single lever, while the other, viz 89,'is denticulated to varying depths so that it is moved onlyby certain of the levers and to varying extents. The cradle 88 (Figs. 14

to 19), is provided with an arm 90 which engages and serves to elevatethe sliding bar 62, before referred to, which efiects release of the slider f the machine, andlikewise carries an arm 91 which, after release of the said sliderfi, engagesa spring pressed pivotal arm 92 acting as a .pawl for a weighted tappet 1.93 pivoted toone arm 94 of a bell crank lever the other 'arm 95 of which is connected to the crank 52 (Fig. 3) of the typepusher .1. This spring pressed pawl 92 whenmoved, permits the tappet 93 to move intothepath of a subsidiary swing bar 96 (Figs. 13 and 18) which is adapted to lift the bell crank lever 9495 against the action of its spring 99, the said bar being oscillated by an adjustable bell crank one arm 97 of which engages another cam 98 on the said continuously rotating spindle S7 of the machine. A spring 99 secured to the free end of the arm 94 of the bell crank 94--95, returns the type pusher 1 and its attached parts to the original position as the cam 98 permits (Fig. 14).

The second cradle 89 carries an arm 100 (Fig. 1) which engages and serves to elevate the sliding bar 23 pertaining to the type retainers 17, the varying movement of the said cradle varying the position of the carrier block 8 of the type retainers to suit the type to be ejected.

The shutters 48 (Fig. 3) constituting the type distributing channels on the face of the front plate 13 are fixed at their lower ends to short spindles 101 (Fig. 4) which extend through the front plate 13, the said shutters being arranged, as before, to converge generally toward the outlet opening 7 through which the individual types are ejected. Each shutter spindle 101 is provided with a double arm 102 at a point between its ends so that the whole of the spindles can conveniently be secured by a bearing bar 103 attached to the back of the front plate 13 by pillar studs 104. Each double arm 102 is provided at one end with a button 105 and at the other with a flat steel or other metal spring 106 adapted to rub lightly along a friction retaining bar 107. These springs 106 are arranged so that each alternate spring engages one side of the bar while the remainder engage the opposite side. The end of each shutter lever 78 (Fig. 0) is provided with a wedge-shaped head 108 adapted, when the lever is elevated, to ad- Vance-between two adjacent buttons 105 on the double arms 102 pertaining to the shutters 48 and separate the same in the usual way, well known, to form a passagmvay for the type (Fig. 12) if they are not already separated, which latter will be the case if either a shutter lever 78, or a corresponding hook lever 79, be operated one directly after another.

The type sifting devices may be of the kind described in the said former specification No. 701881 but, as it is desired in the specific example of machine described, to operate each shutter 48 only by two keys, 73,

provision will only be made for separating .two types received from each distributmg channel, except in cases where a single key is arranged to be operated for more than 1 

